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 Erasing our identityPersian Gulf and cultural preservation By Jamshid Charmchi February 24, 2003 The Iranian I just got through reading Guive Mirfendereski's article [The last stand of all things Persian] disparaging the hard work of the Persian Gulf Task Force. This letter represents my own thoughts on the matter and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of that group. After reading a few sentences, I think my blood pressure probably increased a bit but remained within normal limits. However, I found myself squinting at the computer screen in disbelief. I felt like a cold, jagged blade had been jabbed into my heart by the hands of a friend. Now I know how some Native Americans must have felt when they saw their own tribesmen betray them by working as scouts for the US cavalry. You see, I am tremendously saddened to see a man of such talent, as Guive Mirfendereski, take up the pen against the Persian Gulf Task Force, and unleash a virulent stream of unsubstantiated and false accusations against this entity. It is clear to me that the author - misinformed and misguided (to use his word) - thought it appropriate to malign, slander and disparage a volunteer group of dedicated people, who refuse to remain silent in the face of the orchestrated historical revisionism that seeks to change the name of the Persian Gulf. It is sad to see a person of such standing, promote the culture of apathy and indifference that has long hindered the effective integration of the Iranian community into the political mainstream of the United States. I do not know why the name of the Persian Gulf Task Force (PGTF), would send "shivers down anyone's spine" as the author suggests. Let me be very clear that it was not the intent of the task force to frighten him. Furthermore, I do not know why he believes that the letters sent by the PGTF - letters that politely but unapologetically reaffirm the name of the Persian Gulf - can be categorized as "intimidating epistles" either. Since when is it wrong to take action to right a wrong? The abusers of our heritage should be ashamed of taking liberties with the fabric of history. The author states that the name of the sea to the south of Iran "has been the product of a natural selection process." This is the most creative extrapolation of Darwin's theory of evolution that I have seen to date. The argument Mirfendereski presents is structurally weak and contradictory. On the one hand he ridicules the PGTF for defending 2,500 plus years of recorded history - in the process introducing us to an amusing theory of place names - while on the other, he admits that "if there is no attempt at reversing this trend the term [Persian Gulf] will go extinct." This is exactly what the PGTF is attempting to prevent while Mr. Mirfendereski chooses to stand by and dismiss this cause as not worth the effort. Perhaps the author is unaware that when a peoples' cultural heritage disappears, gradually their identity will be erased as well. Is this what you are after sir? But while he urges inaction, the well-funded Arab campaign to poison the history of the world and erase the legacy of Iran continues unabated. News agencies such as Reuters and the BBC now make it their policy to refer to the Persian Gulf as merely "the Gulf," as if there are no other gulfs in the world. To make matters worse, it is routine practice for the oil tanker industry to call this waterway the "Arabian Gulf," a term that is not recognized by the United Nations or the US Department of State (for starters). While these former entities may choose to allow themselves to be seduced by Arab petro-dollars, this terminology is also creeping into academia. Books published by the Oxford University Press and other publishing firms based in the UK, now routinely use "the Gulf" as a matter of deliberate policy- not by mistake, like the T-shirt incident Mr. Mirfendereski relates. In the "Oxford Atlas of World History," there is a map of the Persian Empire at its zenith. However, the revisionists at Oxford have the audacity to write "The Gulf" as if this waterway is without a proper name. Is it not just and proper to expose their collaboration with Arab nationalists? Have we forgotten what our Arab neighbors have done to us repeatedly since the seventh century? Indeed, while the most recent physical invasion of Iran occurred in 1980 at the hands of Iraq, the silent cultural invasion has been constant and incessant. Should we go the way of the Egyptians, Syrians and Lebanese and become Arabs? Mr. Mirfendereski, think about what you're saying please. The threat of cultural annihilation is very real. It is not a paranoid delusion. Just look at the countries I have mentioned for the proof. Unlike some, I am not given to making baseless claims and groundless accusations. You see, the name of the Persian Gulf is inextricably linked with the history of Iran, despite Mr. Mirfenderski's naive assertions to the contrary. It is not by some random process of selection that this name was arrived at. Rather it was in recogniztion of the fact that Persia was the predominant regional entity that the Greek and - later - the Roman cartographers adopted this name and made it part of the Western historical tradition (not to mention Iran's and even the Arabs' who called it the Persian Sea at the time of the prophet Mohammad and later the Persian Gulf). This is the same reason for names such as the English Channel, the South China Sea and the Sea of Japan, just to name a few. I wonder if Mr. Mirfendereski takes issue with these terms as well. No matter, I presume he is perfectly at ease with the terms Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Do I detect some self-loathing in our esteemed friend? While the author in question chooses to play the part of an apologist for the inexcusable and politically motivated policy of the (recently) United Arab Emirates and our neighbor Iraq (a country that didn't exist until the British created it), I make no apologies for defending the historical legacy of Iran. While Mr. Mirfendereski promotes capitulation and appeasement, the PGTF urges action and vigilance. While he squanders his time to mercilessly lampoon the PGTF, I choose to use my time to defend my heritage. I am not a racist nor am I a rabid nationalist. I do not hate Arabs but rather the fascist political ideology of some of their governments (or rather all such governments). In short, I am simply proud of being an Iranian and that is not a crime.  And although my genetic composition may indeed have
contributions from the surrounding gene pool, that does not lessen my Persian identity,
for that is a feeling that emenates from within my heart. It is a feeling that has
helped preserve Iran's identity and indivuduality in the face of countless invasions
throughout the centuries.I assure you, were it not for this sense of seperateness, and the selfless efforts of countless patriots, such as the great Persian poet Firdowsi, we would all be speaking Arabic today. My efforts and those of my compatriots are but one small and humble part of a proud tradition of active resistance and cultural preservation. If this is a crime then I am guilty on all counts. I would gladly be burned by the fire of our friends sarcastic wit, or crucified by his hollow words, for at least I will have my pride and dignity intact. At least I will have a clean conscience when I close my eyes at night. There is more to a name than a sequence of letters arranged to produce a sound. Letters can be changed and sounds rearranged. It is up to us to keep the Persian in the Persian Gulf. This is all the Persian Gulf Task Force has ever sought. And if this upsets Mr. Mirfendereski, then so be it. It is his prerogative if he wishes to side with people who would sell their heritage for a song. It is his right to side with others who would compromise their integrity and reveal their hypocricy by playing into the hands of those who would burn Iran's history again (yes, again) where they given half a chance.  I for one will never forget that somethings are worth
fighting for. As such I will ceaselessly continue to defend Iran's legacy; especially
when there are those who much like Ebi and other opportunists, think nothing of betraying
Iran for the sake of personal expediency and profit. Somethings are priceless. My
heritage is one such thing. As a sidenote, I should mention that our hamvatan Ebi, recently referred to his compatriots as "saltanat talab" (monarchists) for requesting that he sing the song "Khalije Fars" (Persian Gulf) at his concert in the shiekdom of Dubai. Some people are clearly without shame. Of course, Ebi was well aware of the restrictions placed on him by his Arab sensors and had to find a scapegoat. The man doesn't believe in a single word of that otherwise beautiful song. Perhaps it is better that he doesn't desecrate this ode to Iran and its historical and territorial integrity. The honor of singing this song belongs to someone with a backbone. * Printer friendly Does this article have spelling or other mistakes? Tell me to fix it.
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